Question

Give examples of how "race" is employed in everyday life that reveals how powerful it is, or that reveals that it is a "social construction."
Be sure to engage with assigned readings and other learning materials below. (500 words or more)(copy paste links in the browser)

In our readings, pay attention to how the “Asian race” has been produced, and how it intersects with Asian religions and what implications that may have for Asians in the United States.

Moreover, think and rethink what you know about race, and engage with the idea of race as a social construction. What does this mean?

Reading 1 link https://www.dropbox.com/s/okuoy59zeuqh4sq/Religion%20Race%20and%20Orientalism--JLEE.pdf?dl=0

Reading 2 link https://www.dropbox.com/s/okuoy59zeuqh4sq/Religion%20Race%20and%20Orientalism--JLEE.pdf?dl=0

video 1 link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHpWzZh2xA4

video 2 link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwHadEXkbyw

Answer 1

According to Sociologists and other social scientists race is a socially constructed concept. Racial formation refers to the process that is determined by the interplay between social structure and everyday life, through which the meaning of race and racial categories are formed. For instance, whites have mostly been categorized as being racist, intelligent and superior whereas African Americans have been described as uneducated, aggressive and unemployable. In the same context, scientific racism refers to the pseudoscientific belief that empirical evidence exists to support racial discrimination, racial inferiority, or racial superiority.  Sociologists and other social scientists believe that the idea that was created in society to justify inequality.

          Throughout the world, racial, cultural, and ethnic differences are used to place people into different categories. Once people are placed in categories it is assumed that they have the essence of this category and based on these assumptions we are likely to treat people differently. For instance, Asians in the technology industry are viewed as smart and hardworking so mostly are employed in the lower positions while Americans are viewed as bold, creative, and extroverted and worthy of leadership ranks.